For the Workplace
Empathy
Sensing the emotions of others and responding with care
Empathy enriches a workplace by improving understanding and communication.
When people tune into the emotions and experiences of others, conflict decreases and cooperation increases. Empathy creates a culture where people feel heard, valued, and supported.
Essay
Empathy at Work
by Jill Tomey
At the end of my career, I worked in a small IT department where we all wore several hats and shared responsibilities for the help desk. When answering help desk calls, I tried to match my solutions to the person asking for help. Some people just wanted the problem to go away, and others wanted to know what caused it or how to prevent it from happening again. I used my Empathy to discover ‘who’ was asking for help so I could answer them appropriately.
Collectively, I also tried to sense if there was a deeper need than just a one-time help call. When I sensed a pattern, I would design training to address it. I would also need Empathy in developing the class by thinking like the user rather than the IT professional. Empathy also helped me decide how to deliver the instruction. If it was simple, it was sent to all employees in an email newsletter. If it was something that someone would be embarrassed to sign up for (What do you mean you don’t know how to schedule a conference room?), I recorded a video they could view on demand privately. It became an in-person class if I felt people would have questions and appreciate a chance to discuss the material. If I didn’t take the time to sense the employees’ feelings, my training could miss the goal.
How can you use Empathy to influence your projects?
Affirmations for the Workplace
I stay curious about others’ perspectives before responding.
I take time to imagine what a situation might feel like for someone else.
I approach situations with openness rather than judgement.
I look for shared goals, values, and experiences that connect me with others.
I appreciate my teammates' unique gifts and perspectives that make us stronger.
Empathy Resource Library
The Links below will take you to Resources you can use in the workplace to encourage the Character Quality of Empathy.
Empathy Quotes
Looking for reminders that Empathy makes a difference? Explore the full collection of Empathy Quotes and find the perfect line to share, post, or spark a conversation.
